Virgin Waters: Distances between and around the Channel Islands and the U.S. Mainland

The biggest season in the history of the Santa Barbara Channel Swimming Association officially began yesterday, with a previously “undisclosed” relay crossing from San Clemente Island to the mainland – a distance of 54 miles.

Compared to the most famous Channel Island – Catalina – the remaining seven Channel Islands are still relatively virgin waters for marathon swimmers. Here are the number of successful solo swims, by island:

Anacapa to mainland (12.6 miles) – 25 swims by 23 individuals

Santa Cruz to mainland (various distances) – 8 swims

Santa Rosa to Santa Cruz (6 miles) – 2 swims

Santa Barbara to mainland (37.7 miles) – 1 swim

Santa Rosa to mainland (27.5 miles) – 1 swim

San Miguel to mainland (25.9 miles) – 1 swim

Anacapa to Santa Cruz (5.6 miles) – 1 swim

There are 80 possible swims between and around the eight Channel Islands (including Catalina) and the U.S. mainland. Only 11 of those have been conquered by solo swimmers. The following table shows the distances (in statute miles) for each of the 80 swims: